Whole Hog Hall of Fame

It takes a skilled and seasoned barbecue chef to earn the grand prize at the annual Whole Hog Barbecue Championship. Each has a reason to be proud. And some have more than one reason. Six chefs have won more than once, two have won it three times, and one has won it four. Here are the cooks who have been crowned the Whole Hog Barbecue Champion since the first championship in 1985.

Year

Location

Winner

Hometown

2017

Raleigh

Kevin Peterson

Benson

2016

Raleigh

Chris Fineran

Little River, SC

2015

Raleigh

Joe Peterson

Roanoke Rapids

2014

Raleigh

Ernest Twisdale

Roanoke Rapids

2013

Raleigh

Arthur Williams

Washington

2012

Washington

Mike Hall

Newport

2011

Newport

Fred Woodard

Smithfield

2010

Mount Airy

Carla Sweet

Newport

2009

Smithfield

Joe Peterson

Roanoke Rapids

2008

Raleigh

Joe Peterson

Roanoke Rapids

2007

Kinston

Chris Garner

Newport

2006

Smithfield

Roy Parker

Zebulon

2005

Garner

Vick Wilkens

Red Springs

2004

Newport

Vick Wilkens

Red Springs

2003

Mount Airy

Joe Peterson

Roanoke Rapids

2002

Washington

Chuck Lindner

Atlantic Beach

2001

Raleigh

Charlie Meeks

Newport

2000

Raleigh

Jim Ferrell

Newport

1999

Greenville

Cathy Gregg

Newport

1998

Mount Airy

Bobby Prescott

Newport

1997

Rocky Mount

John Wilhelmsen

Newport

1996

Benson

Greg Bowen

Newport

1995

Lexington

Bobby Prescott

Newport

1994

Newport

Ernest Reason

Havelock

1993

Benson

John Wilhelmsen

Newport

1992

Greenville

Scott Grady

Newport

1991

Raleigh

Troy Warlick

Shelby

1990

Raleigh

Chip Davis

Shelby

1989

Raleigh

Bobby Prescott

Newport

1988

Raleigh

Chip Kahl

Havelock

1987

Raleigh

Ernest Reason

Havelock

1986

*

*

*

1985

Raleigh

Willis Peaden & Jim Elder

Havelock

* Our whole hog historians are digging through the archives to determine the winner of the 1986 Championship. If you have any information that would be helpful to our search, please contact info@wholehogbarbecue.com.